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Ofori Panin SHS wins drama contest with splendid performance
Students of Ofori Panin Senior High School performing a play on unemployment
A splendid dramatic performance put up by students of Ofori Panin Senior High School in the Eastern Region earned them the highest prize of the maiden edition of the National High School Drama Competition, held on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the National Theatre in Accra.
The students performed on how unemployed graduates, in a hurry to better their lives, indulge in money rituals and other vices which eventually land them in deep troubles.
For coming out on top, Ofori Panin SHS received a beautiful trophy and cash of GHc2, 000, while Odorgonno Senior High School, the runner-up, received a trophy and cash prize of GHC1, 000. Manya Krobo Senior High School which came third received a trophy and cash prize of GHc500.
The competition, organised by Alpha Promotions and Simdos Entertainment in collaboration with High School Media Club, brought together 18 Senior High Schools to compete for the prizes at stake.
Some of the participants were Benkum Senior High School, Adonten Senior High School, Bright Senior High School, St. Johns Grammar Senior High School and Oyoko Methedist Senior High School,
Others were WBM Zion Senior High School, Diaspora Girls Senior High School, Nungua Senior High School, Labone Senior High School, Akuse Methodist Senior High School and Kinbu Senior High School.
The rest were Presbyterian Senior High School (Osu), New Juaben Senior High School, Oti Boateng Senior High School and Koforidua Secondary Technical School.
The schools dramatised bribery and corruption, tribal disputes and their negative impact on society, unemployment and greed, early child marriage, among others.
The judges looked for students’ adherence to the 20 minutes alloted to each school to perform their excellent acting skills, and the issues they addressed through drama.
Mr. Henry Morgan, one of the judges, said the reason for organising the national competition was “to encourage the students to be critical thinkers and act creatively, improve their writing skills and to develop their problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of education.”
The competition uses drama as an important tool to prepare students to develop tolerance, self-confidence, social awareness and ability to work in a world that is increasingly team oriented.
Ms. Priscilla Akyea Eshun, a participating student from Ofori Panin Senior High School and president of the High School Media Club said she was delighted and privileged to be part of the winning team at the competition, adding that “our shining performance has boosted our confidence and emboldened us to be set to achieve more successes in our future endeavours.”
By Agnes Nyarkoa Eshun
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
